HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS REGISTER		Author Keyword(s) Vol Page [Advanced]

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by van Dijk, E J Articles by Breteler, M M B Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by van Dijk, E J Articles by Breteler, M M B

Arterial oxygen saturation, COPD, and cerebral small vessel disease

¹ Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Erasmus Medical Centre, the Netherlands
² Department of Neurology, Erasmus Medical Centre, the Netherlands
³ Department of Radiology, University Hospital Groningen, the Netherlands

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr M M B Breteler
Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Erasmus Medical Centre, 3000, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; m.breteler{at}erasmusmc.nl

Objective: To study whether lower arterial oxygen saturation (SaO₂) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with cerebral white matter lesions and lacunar infarcts.

Methods: We measured SaO₂ twice with a pulse oximeter, assessed the presence of COPD, and performed MRI in 1077 non-demented people from a general population (aged 60–90 years). We rated periventricular white matter lesions (on a scale of 0–9) and approximated a total subcortical white matter lesion volume (range 0–29.5 ml). All analyses were adjusted for age and sex and additionally for hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, pack years smoked, cholesterol, haemoglobin, myocardial infarction, and left ventricular hypertrophy.

Results: Lower SaO₂ was independent of potential confounders associated with more severe periventricular white matter lesions (score increased by 0.12 per 1% decrease in SaO₂ (95% confidence interval 0.01 to 0.23)). Participants with COPD had more severe periventricular white matter lesions than those without (adjusted mean difference in score 0.70 (95% confidence interval 0.23 to 1.16)). Lower SaO₂ and COPD were not associated with subcortical white matter lesions or lacunar infarcts.

Conclusion: Lower SaO₂ and COPD are associated with more severe periventricular white matter lesions.

Keywords: white matter lesions; lacunar infarcts; oxygen saturation; COPD; ageing

Abbreviations: COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; SaO₂, arterial oxygen saturation

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. J. van Dijk, N. D. Prins, H. A. Vrooman, A. Hofman, P. J. Koudstaal, and M. M.B. Breteler Progression of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease in Relation to Risk Factors and Cognitive Consequences: Rotterdam Scan Study Stroke, October 1, 2008; 39(10): 2712 - 2719. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. M. Mandell, J. S. Han, J. Poublanc, A. P. Crawley, A. Kassner, J. A. Fisher, and D. J. Mikulis Selective Reduction of Blood Flow to White Matter During Hypercapnia Corresponds With Leukoaraiosis Stroke, July 1, 2008; 39(7): 1993 - 1998. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				X. Guo, L. Pantoni, M. Simoni, D. Gustafson, C. Bengtsson, B. Palmertz, and I. Skoog Midlife Respiratory Function Related to White Matter Lesions and Lacunar Infarcts in Late Life: The Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg, Sweden Stroke, July 1, 2006; 37(7): 1658 - 1662. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. J. Vinkers, M. L. Stek, R. C. van der Mast, A.J.M. de Craen, S. Le Cessie, J. Jolles, R. G.J. Westendorp, and J. Gussekloo Generalized atherosclerosis, cognitive decline, and depressive symptoms in old age Neurology, July 12, 2005; 65(1): 107 - 112. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]